BURLINGTON — Superintendent Eric Conti and Principal Mark Sullivan are pleased to share that a Burlington High School student was recently accepted into the Office of the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) art exhibit for Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month.
Grade 11 student Lidia Perez-Armas was honored at the DESE office in Everett on Wednesday, Oct. 29, and was given a certificate of recognition. Her accepted art was a papier-mache mask adorned with found materials and origami white flowers, representing her Hispanic heritage. The mask was created in Burlington Memorial High School’s clay art studio under the guidance of Art teacher Mojdeh Kazem.
Honored students presented their work to panelists including Chelsea Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Almi Abeyta, DESE Management Consultant Juan Rodriguez, Boston Public Schools Chief of Family and Community Engagement Magaly Sanchez, and DESE College and Career Readiness Specialist Nyal Fuentes.
“Lidia was incredibly brave when she took the microphone to introduce herself and share the story behind her artwork. The audience applauded twice for her heartfelt words,” said Kazem. “I am truly proud of her accomplishment and representation at the recognition ceremony.”
“We are so proud of the incredible hard work and dedication Lidia showed throughout this project and at the DESE exhibit,” said George Ratkevich, Burlington Visual Arts Program Coordinator. “I would like to thank DESE for highlighting our student work and their continued partnership with our visual arts program.”
Perez-Armas’ artwork will be displayed at the DESE Office Board Room throughout the first week of November.
